Clemson is near the top of the ESPN FPI’s national strength-of-record rankings after eight weeks.

Clemson ranks No. 2 on the list behind No. 1 Tennessee. Here is FPI’s definition for strength of record:

Reflects chance that an average top 25 team would have the team’s record or better, given the schedule

Clemson has played a competitive schedule and the FPI recognized that. The Tigers have already picked up wins over three ranked teams so far this season.

Clemson is on a quest to reach the College Football Playoff for the 7th time in program history. Clemson is currently ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll and is at the top of the Atlantic division.

Clemson is the ACC’s only chance to have a conference representative in the Playoff. The Tigers have been challenged throughout the season and the Week 8 game against Syracuse was the latest example. Recently, Clemson played close games against Wake Forest, NC State, Florida State, and Syracuse. Clemson managed to prevail in those 4 games, but the games were not decided until the end of the 4th quarter.

There are four games remaining on Clemson’s schedule and two of those games are against nonconference opponents, Notre Dame and South Carolina.

Clemson will return to play against Notre Dame on Saturday, Nov. 5.